The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced the implementation of Phase VII of the Lacey Act provisions. This phase finalizes the declaration requirement mandated by Congress for plant and wood products. Under Phase VII, importers must file declarations for all remaining plant product Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes that are not 100-percent composite materials.
If you import items containing plant products and haven’t filed a Lacey Act declaration, you’ll likely need to comply under Phase VII. This phase encompasses a wide range of items, from industrial or medicinal plants to handbags, plywood, laminated wood, tools, matches with natural wood stems, products of natural cork, bamboo and rattan products, footwear, and more. Previous phases covered items such as timber, certain furniture, essential oils, wood cases, trunks, and woodwind instruments with their parts and accessories.
The full enforcement schedule can be found on the APHIS website. Phase VII enforcement begins six months after its publication in the Federal Register. APHIS is currently finalizing the requirements for plant and wood products, allowing the public time to comment on the included products and suggest additional HTS chapters for consideration until July 30, 2024. To comment, visit the regulations.gov website and search for APHIS-2008-0119.
By staying informed and proactive, importers can navigate these new requirements smoothly and continue to operate within regulatory guidelines. At Coppersmith Global Logistics, we’re here to help you understand and comply with these changes. Contact us for more information and support.
